Gertrude, the sister with a million yawningcracks in her face, grabbed hold of the counter and heaved her bulkup, batting her eyelashes at him. “Your lordship, what do we owethe honor?”
Nicholas loathed using the haughty presenceof the highborn to kindle a sense of inferiority in the two women,but their malicious gossip-mongering toward Alexandra stuck in hismind. “I’m the Duke of Rutland and have traveled far. I’m lookingfor Lady Alexandra Sutherland.”
Hortense combed the hair from her ears withher fingers. “I assure your lordship there is no lady in ourvillage by that name except for Alexandra Elwins who is of noconsequence and a woman of ill standing.”
Gertrude smirked. At least he thought it wasa smirk because a crack opened into a crevice. “She has areputation that precedes her.”
Nicholas inspected the two twitteringCornett sisters with a condescending glare. “She is the same woman.I take exception to you besmirching my futurewife.”
Their mouths worked up and down like beachedsalmon. “Alexandra Elwins?”
Nicholas slapped his gloves on his hand. “Ihope there is not any negative conversation against my betrothed orthere will be heavy consequences.”
Gertrude’s eyes bulged. Hortensehyperventilated. “Consequences?”
Nicholas stood silent for a full minute asif he were examining the worst of possibilities.Thumbscrews?Submerging them in ice water? Dropping apples on them?
“Draw and quarter them,” yelled one of theold men.
Nicholas wasn’t that bloodthirsty. But theeffect from the man’s comments was beneficial. Gertrude clawed herface. Hortense let go of her ears and clutched her heart.
“No, sir. I mean, no, your lordship. Neverwould you hear anything disapproving from our mouths,” said thesisters in unison, breaking into full body tremors. “Alexandra isthe nicest girl in Deconshire.”
“That is what I thought and in the future, Ibetter not hear otherwise.”
The old men burst into applause.
Smiling, the storekeeper pointed north withhis broomstick. “She lives in the stone cottage at the end of thelane.”
“Then I shall take my leave. Good day.”Nicholas pivoted and the storekeeper tripped over his broom to openthe door for him.
Nicolas vaulted in his coach. From thecorner of his eye, he noted every person in the store had theirnoses pressed up against the windows. He laughed. His act wasenough to get the tongues in southern England a ’wagging.
He tapped the roof, in a hurry to get backto Alexandra and pack her and her father up to London before therewas more danger and before she changed her mind.
ChapterTwenty-one
They traveled overland for better part of aweek, arriving at the Rutland Townhouse in London. Fronted by athree-sided courtyard stood a red-brick mansion with an impressiveDoric colonnade situated at the north end of Piccadilly. Her handfluttered up to her throat and then slid over her pounding heart.She peered at her father and he nodded reassuringly. Nothing hadprepared her for this.
She glanced at the dress Nicholas had boughtfor her, dirty from her travels, and then wistfully at thesteps.
Nicholas looked her over. “You are perfectas you are and my family will love you. I’ll take care of yourwardrobe posthaste.”
Nicholas helped her disembark and laughedwhen she widened her eyes at the edifice. “Imposing, isn’t it.”
An aura of carefully restrained power, offorcefulness, emanated from him. Nicholas was all that a duke wouldbe.
“Come along. I have someone I want you tomeet.”
He guided her to the top of the stairs.Rigidly proper, and attired in dark maroon livery, a tall,beak-nosed, and silver haired man stood, his grey eyes speculativebeneath thick bushy brows. Chest out, shoulders back, bearing stiffas new canvas, he gave the impression that if he hunched for theslightest moment it would be a slur to himself and to his King andcountry.
“Welcome home, Lord Rutland.”
Nicholas chuckled. “Thank you, Sebastian.May I introduce you to Lady Sutherland? I have convinced her I willmake a tolerable husband. And this is her adoptive father, CaptainElwins.”
Except for a singular twitch of Sebastian’sdense brows, the butler’s face remained expressionless, though hiswarm brown eyes twinkled. “Indeed, my lord.”
“My lady, and Captain Elwins, this myfamily’s butler, and my dear friend, Sebastian. I’ve known himsince I was in my nappies, and he’s helped me out of plenty ofscrapes. Haven’t you, Sebastian?” Nicholas winked at his butler,and then he gave Alexandra a lopsided grin so endearing, the knotin her stomach eased a degree.
